It would be great to see him paired with Gonchar since he could cover for mistakes and be a solid hitter. That leaves then for next year Whitney and Orpik as your other top pairing and Scuderi and Welch as a #3 with Welch being brought along slowly with a solid defensemen to cover for mistakes.

I too have been an onlooking fan of Malkenkikh. I just don't understand how he has completely fallen off the radar to the point that he isn't even listed on Hockeysfuture.com. From everything I have read, he is a solid positional player who hits with the tenacity of Orpik. I have heard that he has had injury problems and that if/when he comes to the United States, he wants an NHL-only contract, but, when you have a potential thumper like that with good skill to match, you take the risk. Plus, he's been on one of the top pairings of one of the best teams in what is known as the most defense-oriented league in the world. That can mean nothing but good, in my opinion.

What do you guys think the odds are of getting him over here next year? I mean we have Gonchar and Malkin as two other Russians who might be able to persuade him to join the Pens, but that doesn't mean that management is even going to attempt. Lastly, how much longer do the Pens own his rights before he becomes a free agent or eligable to re-enter the draft?

I really think he could do nothing but add positives to the Pens' blueline.

I'm not saying he isn't good, but can someone explain where the optimism about this guy comes from? For a guy that hasn't even made it to NA this long after his draft year, you guys seem to be pretty high on him. Does that come from being able to see him play on occaision? Or is it because of the disaster that is currently the Pens' defense?